Abstract: A covering apparatus for a receptacle having an open top including, a cover having a first end and a second end and a length and width sufficient to cover the open top of the receptacle, a spring loaded roller, rotatably mounted at one end of the receptacle and to which the first end of the cover is attached, the roller being adapted for retracting and winding the cover about said roller, a pair of first cable pulleys, one of each of the first cable pulleys rotatably mounted at one end of the receptacle, a pair of second cable pulleys, one of each of the second cable pulleys rotatably mounted at the other end of the receptacle, a cable loop engaging the first cable pulley and the second cable pulley, the second end of said cover attached to the cable loop, and an energizing device for causing the pair of first cable pulleys to rotate so as to cause the cable loop to move about the first and said second cable pulleys.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for a bay window to close an opening by moving a shutter curtain upward from a containing space in the bottom of the bay window and to open it by way of a downward movement of the curtain under the influence of a coil spring. The basic driving system for the shutter is located either in the roof or in the lower containing space of the bay window. Various devices are disclosed including a seal for sealing the space between the leading member of the curtain and the roof of the bay window, a structure for installing the driving motor, a structure for detachable connection of the driving shaft, hainging members used to raise and lower the curtain, a structure for supporting the winding drum on the driving shaft, as well as features to allow maintenance of the shutter assembly.

Abstract: A roller on which a curtain is rolled up has its respective ends closed by a washer and by a cap having two opposed recesses one inside and the other outside the roller. A first support in the outer recess supports one end of a threaded rod passing inside the roller and inserted at its other end, in a second support fastened to the washer. The threaded rod crosses two opposed bodies one of which is fixed and the other is movable, by virtue of its coupling with the threaded rod and the rod's axial rotation. Between the two bodies, a helical spring has its ends fastened to the same bodies, so that, the rotation of the roller causes the rotation of the movable body, which twists the spring, but at the same time moves along the threaded rod, thereby changing the longitudinal space available to the spring.

Abstract: A plate for closing one end of a box for housing a window shade roller, includes a cylindrical recess made in the plate coaxially to a through hole and into which a bushing is placed. The bushing is provided with an axial hole having a polygonal cross section and two strikers suited to fit into corresponding notches in the recess. A spring placed inside the recess on a collar integral with the bushing, locks the strikers and notches and prevents axial rotation of the bushing. A washer fastened to the plate closes the recess. A non-round tang extending from one end of a roller can engage the hole in the bushing. Axially pushing on the bushing while rotating the bushing achieves the release of the strikers from the notches, and allows adjusting of the loading of the window shade roller by rotating the tang.

Abstract: An improved rolling steel door of the type having interlocking steel slats, each slat being hinged to the slat above and below it. An improved method of holding the slats in vertical alignment with one another utilizes a pin affixed to the lower end of each slat. The pin has an enlarged head which abuts the edge of the adjacent slat. A spring module is readily removable from the rolling steel door assembly to facilitate the replacement of a broken or inoperative spring.

Abstract: A combination window shade and clutch assembly is provided to prevent over-tensioning of the spring motor of the window shade. The clutch assembly includes spool means connected to one end of the spring motor and cup means, both movable along the window shade shaft. The spool means and cup means are provided with clutch means in the form of mating, tapered locking surfaces adapted to engage one another. The cup means engages retaining means formed in the rotatable housing of the window shade so that rotation of the housing is transmitted to the spool means through the cup means while their locking surfaces are in engagement.

Abstract: A trunk shade for an automotive luggage compartment having a central torque tube removably installed and held against rotation in fixed mounting brackets in which a torsional windup spring accommodating shade extraction and retraction has a prewind retention feature provided by an axial lead screw for a clutch dog which reaches a limit stop at a prewound retracted condition unaffected when the shade is removed from the mounting brackets. Optionally, a stop may also be provided at the other end of its travel to limit extraction of the shade. Helical torsional windup springs, of either compression or extension type, are adapted to take up mounting end clearance and in other respects eliminate shade rattle.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided to prevent over tensioning of the spring motor of a window shade. The clutch assembly includes sleeve means, connected to one end of the spring motor, having an axial bore formed with internal threads which are engageable with threads formed along the window shade dowel, and also having sleeve locking means operable to engage retaining means formed on the interior surface of the window shade tube. The clutch assembly is operable to permit tensioning of the spring motor a predetermined number of turns of the window shade tube in one direction and then prevent further tensioning of the spring motor without restricting rotation of the tube in such one direction.

Abstract: A combination window shade and clutch assembly is provided to prevent over-tensioning of the spring motor of the window shade. The clutch assembly includes spool means connected to one end of the spring motor and cup means, both movable along the window shade dowel, and each having locking means formed to engage one another. The cup means engages retaining means formed in the rotatable housing of the window shade so that rotation of the housing is transmitted to the spool means through the cup means while their locking means are in engagement. The locking means of the cup means and spool means are operable to maintain engagement to permit tensioning of the spring motor a predetermined number of turns of the cup means and spool means together with window shade housing, and then disengage to prevent further tensioning of the spring motor without restricting rotation of the housing in such one direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slip coupling for preventing the overwinding of the motor spring of a roller blind. In one embodiment the slip coupling is incorporated as part of a bracket for supporting one end of the roller. The bracket has a cylindrical bearing which is rotatable within a circular aperture in the face of the bracket and receives a pin of the spindle of the roller so as to be rotatable therewith. The bearing carries a spring the ends of which engage with stops on the face of the bracket so that the bearing is prevented from rotation when the torque exerted by the motor spring is below a predetermined level. When the motor spring is overwound the ends of the springs are caused to flex to override the stops and so reduce the tension in the motor spring. In a second embodiment the slip coupling is located within the roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roll blind including a winder fitted around a pin of a roll which is on the side of rolling-in spring housed in the roll, in which one means is formed on the end of said roll and the other means is formed on said winder. After the spring is rolled in by the rotation of the winder, both means are coupled to each other by an engaging member so that the return of the winder is restrained.